Dear friends of Cap’n Ron and Belize fans, this winter as you consider end-of-year charitable donations, can you help us Fill The Basket and support more Belizeans through educational scholarships and community grants?

“Wan, wan, okra, ful baaskit.” This adage means that together, bit-by-bit, with perseverance, hard work, and cooperation, we will fill the basket.

Our 100% volunteer-run organization endeavors to “fill its basket” over the next several weeks with generous donations so we can continue to support Belizeans and their communities. Will you join us and add your donation to the basket?

Unlike in the US, public school in Belize is not free. For a typical high school student, one year of tuition, fees, uniforms, books, and materials costs up to US$1,700. These costs can be a real burden—and a deterrent—for low-income Belizean families.

Our scholarship program has become so well-known and respected that we had nearly 70 students vying for our limited scholarship funds for 2015-16. Each and every one of these students is an intelligent, hard-working student at risk of not completing his/her high school education. You can help us break the cycle of poverty and enable these deserving students to continue their education.

In addition to scholarships, we are supporting four grant-funded community projects this year. These grants help:

The Cornerstone Foundation of Cayo increase the computer literacy of women, building their key job skills, as well as tutor and strengthen the study skills of school children who participate in their free lunch program.

Plenty Belize strengthen the Santa Ana Government School’s garden and feeding program by upgrading the school’s garden and incorporating an outdoor learning center in this Ke’kchi Maya village in Toledo District.

Trinidad Environment Concerned Youth Group complete their “eco-park” which improves the local environment and provides outdoor recreational and education opportunities in Trinidad Village, Orange Walk District.

Belize Education Project in Cayo provide Developmental Reading Assessment toolkits and training that supports teachers and helps primary school students become better readers.

Remember, unlike many charities, every dollar you donate to Full Basket Belize directly support students and communities. Because we are 100% volunteer run, we have very limited administration costs, so 100% of your donations go directly to Belize.

To make your donation and help us Fill The Basket, simply visit www.fullbasketbelize.org and click on the orange DONATE button or mail your check to Full Basket Belize, PO Box 29021, Portland, OR 97296.

Along with the board of Full Basket Belize, I sincerely thank you for your generous support.